Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1998

Tiana scoffed. "Back then, you loved Reggie more crazily than anyone else. You were willing to do anything for him. At least when I do something, it's open and direct. I love, I hate, and I say it to someone's face… Not like you, hiding and scheming in the shadows."

Victoria's face flushed with a rosy color that made her look absolutely stunning. If this had been her old self, she would have already exploded and beaten Tiana senseless. But now, with her weak body and ruined martial arts, she was essentially helpless.

She could only respond with a cold laugh. "Tiana, I'm not as shameless as you are. Besides, I'm completely alone now with nobody in my life. Calvin's betrayal has already made him dead to me, and Reginald left me years ago.

"What I needed to forget, I've forgotten, and what I can't forget has turned into indifference or hate. I owe him nothing; if anything, he owes me. Now that I've lost everything, nothing really matters anymore."

Tiana exclaimed in shock, "What are you trying to say?"

Victoria lowered her gaze with a soft, almost demure smile, her flushed cheeks making her look like a painted beauty in a classic portrait. "I'm saying, even if something strange did happen between me and Andrew, it would be something I deserved."

She added, "First, I don't owe anyone anymore. Second, I'm single and alone. Third, I genuinely like him. And fourth, if I took Andrew for myself, it would be the perfect way to get back at Reginald. Tell me, wouldn't that feel amazing?"

Tiana was stunned. She could hardly form her words. "Victoria… you wouldn't actually go through with it, would you? Andrew's the type who values loyalty. If you were serious, he probably wouldn't slap you away, but he'd be too stunned to move.

"But if you used his sense of morality and respect for you just to become his woman, then I'm telling you, Victoria… You'd be downright despicable."

Victoria lifted her chin and met Tiana's eyes head-on. "Tiana, forget all the moral codes, the so-called rules, and social constraints. I'm only asking you one thing: could I be Andrew's woman? Could I be his?"

Tiana's expression became complex, and it took her a long time before she finally nodded reluctantly. "You could. Back in the day, you were one of the most beautiful women in the southern martial arts world!

"Reggie liked me for my playfulness, but for you, it was your beauty, and I hated admitting it, but I had to. Franklin was even willing to die for you. Even though he was faking it, it just showed how captivating you are. And above all, you're an extraordinary woman. In martial skill and ruthless cunning, I'm only half of what you are."

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